Despite victories for the Xbox 360 and 3DS, the gaming business had one rough July.

Total physical game sales, which includes hardware, disc-based software, and accessories, hit only $443 million in the U.S. in July, research firm NPD has revealed. That figure is down 19 percent compared to the same period last year. Hardware sales topped out at an abysmal $99.4 million, while software could only muster $222.3 million in sales.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 was the top-selling console last month, reaching 107,000 units sold during the period. It was the 31st-consecutive month the Xbox 360 was the top-selling console. Nintendo's 3DS, however, was the top-selling hardware platform in July. Nintendo didn't reveal how many units it sold during the month.

Neither Nintendo nor Sony revealed how many console units they sold in July.

That the gaming industry was slumping a bit last month isn't necessarily a surprise. Historically, summer months are tough on the gaming business, and since new consoles are launching in just a few short months, consumers might be holding back their spending in anticipation of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

About the author

Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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